A Chabadnik.com reporter came across a very wierd item that was reported in one of the news agencies today. It read: A historical event will take place tomorrow in the city of Tiberias. The Sanhedrin which has not been convened for 1660 years will convene tomorrow together with other prominent rabbis of Israel from various circles."

Now, we would not have paid attention to this item if not for the line that said that among those participating "will be Rabbi Dov Levanoni an elder Chabad rabbi."

Chabadnik.com spoke with Rabbi Lavnuni by telephone to verify whether he really is one of the 71 rabbis that will convene in Tiberias.

Chabadnik.com: Shalom, Rabbi Lavnuni, your name appears as one of those rabbis who will be participating in setting up a Sanhedrin of 71 rabbis in Tiberias....

Rabbi Levanoni: Correct.

Chabadnik.com: Can you fill us in on what is going on?

Rabbi Levanoni: Well, to say it is mamesh a Sanhedrin is a bit misleading. It is not mamesh a Sanhedrin because the Sanhedrin sits in the Lishkas Hagozis (in the Beis Hamikdash) this is merely a Bet Din of 71 rabbis.

Cabadnik.com: What kind of an authority does such a Bet Din have?

Rabbi Levanoni: It has the authority to appoint a small Sanhedrin (23 rabbis) and a king.

Chabadnik.com: You're planning on appointing a king?

Rabbi Levanoni: No, we are waiting for Moshiach.

Chabadnik.com: Thank G-d for that. So why set up such a Bet Din altogether?

Rabbi Levanoni: To spread the words of Torah all over the world, to bring many Jews to Teshuva and observance of the Torah. In essence it is what Chabad does today. 

Chabadnik.com: If you already mentioned Chabad, how did the Rebbe view such an endeavor?

Rabbi Levanoni: The Rebbe was against such a move as already publicized in one of his letters. But I checked the date when the letter was written and it was written during David Ben Gurion's term in office. The Rebbe's opposition to this then is understood in light of the fact that Ben Gurion wanted to destroy religion and to impose his views on the Jewish nation. Almost all orthodox rabbis then opposed a Sanhedrin. But times have changed.

Chabadnik: Are you aware of any other Chabad rabbis who identify with your move?

Rabbi Levanoni: Yes, Rabbi Even Yisrael (Steinzaltz) is one of them.

Chabadnik.com: Do all the rabbis who will be part of this Bet Din have the Halachic qualifications for this?

Rabbi Levanoni: You have to be an ordained rabbi of "yodin Yodin" or "Yore Yore."

Chabadnik.com: Are you one of the organizers of this conference?

Rabbi Levanoni: I together with two more rabbis, Rabbi Babad and Rabbi Idan. They are the ones who initiated this. I myself cannot participate due to my weak health but I sent my blessing via video.

Chabadnik.com: Are you the Rabbi Lavnuni who is author of the book on the Beis Hamikdash?

Rabbi Levanoni: Yes

Chabadnik.com: Thank you.